Low users (only eve and wkends) where should we get duel fuel from??how much???

PrincessJR

Hi,
My partner and I are buying a house, and I would like some info on how we need to arrange our utilities.

We are both First time buyers and so have never done this before.

We will be low users as we are only going to be there in the evenings and weekends and have no kids. Should we go duel fuel?
How much on average should we expect to pay monthly?

Also, would we be better off with a water meter, and is there a charge for installing them? (we will be in Severn Trent area).

Thanks for any help, I am confused!

Farway

Dual fuel may not be cheaper, sometimes is but recent report [lost the link] said it is no longer the case

As you will be low users and only using at weekends then I suggest you avoid the ones with a standing charge,, & only pay for what you use.

The unit cost may be more but as you will only be using it 2 days out of 7, and in summer even less, then that should be best

Also avoid those with staggered tariffs, first xx units at xy pence, rest at xy -z as you may never reach the cheaper tariff level

I am biased here as I use them, but I do not use a lot of fuel, have a look at Ebico
http://www.ebico.co.uk/ one price, easy to understand bils and an ethical stance, the actual supply is via your local company, Southern maybe?

Water meter, no charge for installing, but you can never go back after the first year. You would have to do some sums to see if cheaper or not, there will be a standing charge plus the cost of water.

You can work out the "normal" cost, or ask present owner what they pay as you will pay the same as it based on rateable value, like Council tax

FWIW I would not go down the meter route because your circumastances could change & you need loads of water, but no doubt others will tell you they save 1200 pounds a year or something by being on a meter [I just made that figure up, don't panic]

Ken68

Hi Princess, Anglia Water have a low user tariff, maybe Severn Trent too.
And I endorse Ebico recommendation, definately for low users. 9.32pence for electric for this area and 2.55 pence for gas VAT included. No standing charge.No tier system.
With part occupation and being a low user estimate 12,000 kwh pa and 2000kwh for electric.Much depends on insulation and there are grants available, tho not for work already started. Visit Energy Savings Trust site.

umami

PrincessJR
Just want to tell you about my friend who changed to a water meter with severn trent last year.She did save money but they messed up her bill payment so badly it was horrendous It took months to sort out, threatening bailliffs, inefficient customer service etc. All to do with direct debit and no trouble before she changed to a water meter.She now pays off the whole sum.
Maybe a isolated incident but I thought I would passed it on.Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

PrincessJR

Thanks to everyone for your advice, im still a little undecided, will probably weigh it up nearer the time (pros, cons etc) if it wont make a great deal of difference to our bill then I wont risk it!

Thanks again, as always!

aah

I have just changed to a water meter with Severn Trent. I am on my own in a flat that I use (at most) 3 nights weekly - the water consumption is really low but I haven't had a bill yet......